Arlene Edwards is doing her part to restore midtown with her new business, Re-Store Ruidoso.

Celebrating its grand opening Saturday, the shop offers a unique blend of the old and the new, selling some high-end antiques, re-purposed furniture, balloon bouquets, custom florals, unique lighting, kitchsy items, paint, and even a baby boutique complete with hand-made christening gowns. Edwards also re-purposes many items she finds on her treasure hunts. In fact, there is a dedicated workshop in the store for that very objective.

"We want to contribute, we want to recycle, we want to give back into the community," Edwards said about the venture. "The big thing is we're here for the long haul, not just the summer."

This isn't Edwards first foray into the business world. She has been self-employed since her early twenties and has been an interior decorator for 30 years, working in both Albuquerque and Ruidoso. Deciding it was time to come home to stay and the time was right to open the business, Edwards dove into the venture.

Between collecting items to fill the shop and finding the right location, the Ruidoso native has been preparing for the opening for three years. She settled on a location at the corner of Country Club and Mechem Drives in midtown. It's taken several months just to remodel the building and make ready for the opening.

"I wanted something with historical significance and character and this was the first Texaco station in Ruidoso," Edwards said about her choice of location.

A fresh take on tradition

Edwards said she is a part of a new breed of local business owners that has a more expansive view of what Ruidoso can be, with an emphasis on building a strong sense of community. She said she has a grasp on the tourist industry that built the area up, but wants to breathe new life into in midtown in particular, in an effort to keep people not just coming back for a visit, but making a life here.

With a strong desire to build a lasting relationship with her customer base, Edwards said she is keeping the prices low on her products, along with bringing in new products on an almost daily basis.

"We're here to stay and I really want my locals coming in," Edwards said. 'We love to have our visitors, but I really want my locals coming in and looking and thinking of me for gifts."

With that community-oriented vision, Edwards said she hopes to incorporate community-oriented venues into the mix like a farmer's market and a pumpkin patch at some point.

"That's why I have the garage door open," Edwards said. "I want people to know that we want them to come in."

Re-Store Ruidoso is located at 2200 Sudderth Drive. Check them out at Re-Store Ruidoso on Facebook, or call 505-710-5652.